Reports: UCLA QB Josh Rosen will not play in Cactus Bowl
UCLA will reportedly be without star quarterback Josh Rosen in the Cactus Bowl.
On Nov. 24, Rosen was knocked out of the team’s season finale against Cal with a concussion — his second of the season. In the weeks since, Rosen had yet to be cleared by doctors. He told reporters Saturday he hoped he would return to the field Tuesday night against Kansas State, but reports emerged saying Rosen will not play.
UCLA star QB Josh Rosen will sit out the Bruins’ Cactus Bowl game against Kansas State Tuesday under doctor’s orders, multiple sources have told SI Saturday afternoon. According to a UCLA source, Rosen wanted to play but the medical staff doesn’t want him to play in this game because they didn’t want him to risk him having another concussion so close to the last one.
If Rosen is indeed out, he has likely played his last collegiate game. Rosen, a junior, is expected to declare for the NFL Draft and be one of the top selections — potentially No. 1 overall. In a time when some players sit out bowl games to avoid injury before NFL draft prep begins, Rosen, who says he hasn’t decided if he’s leaving school, told reporters Saturday he wouldn’t sit out the game for that reason.
“No, not a thought,” Rosen said per the Los Angeles Times. “Maybe I like my team more than some guys. Personally, I just really want to play in this game. I love these guys.”
Rosen also offered a thorough defense of players who do make the decision not to play in bowl games.
Today UCLA QB Josh Rosen said he would look at the NFL after the bowl game and when asked about what makes him want to play in the @Cactus_Bowl when other high profile players have skipped bowl games… he had this great answer. #UCLA #CactusBowl pic.twitter.com/fArs2leCix
— Chris Lilly (@wibwChrisLilly) December 24, 2017
For his career, Rosen has thrown for 9,301 yards and 59 touchdowns while completing 60.8 percent of his passes. This year, he’s thrown for 3,717 yards and 26 touchdowns with a 62.5 percent completion rate, all of which are career highs.
If Rosen can’t go, redshirt freshman Devon Modster would likely start. With Rosen out against Cal, Modster completed 14-of-18 passes for 191 yards to help the Bruins (6-6) clinch a bowl berth.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
